The Cat that got the Cream

A few days ago we mentioned a conversation we had with a lady called Pheasie on Twitter, who replied to us when we asked what charitable deeds the mouse community in Ambert should undertake in the next few months. Pheasie's (very wonderful) answer was to:

"Buy a bunch of flowers for someone who looks sad and see the surprise and happiness on their face".

We thought this was a wonderful idea, as we knew some cats that did seem to be in need of some smiles, and now we can tell you how our mission went.

Everybody knows that it is very difficult to make a cat smile... you have to work hard for their love! For Caerphillian Mice, however, it is exceptionally difficult because for many years cats and mice have been enemies. We are now much more friendly, but cats still err on the side of caution with us, being much more ready to pounce than to purr.

Our plan began very early in the morning: Samuel Pittance was sent to the dairy to choose our finest cream and bring it home to Old Mother Sally and Baby Belle and her teacher Miss. Jervaulx went into the fields to handpick the flowers whilst Mother Sally and I rolled up our sleeves and to cook fresh fish for our cat friends.

We knew that Buttons would probably visit us quite early today, along with Smarties and Crunchie (her sisters) because they had got a job in the local farm chasing birds (which we prefer a lot more than them being employed to eat mice). Unfortunately, cats can't fit into Old Mother Sally's house, so we set up the dining table in the Church instead and decided to meet our cat-friends there.

As we set up the table, Baby Belle and Miss. Jervaulx arrived home with some massive bouquets of flowers for the three cats. Miss. Jervaulx hadn't realised how hard it would be for a mouse to find flowers in winter, but thankfully Scamp the dog was able to help her collect some that his keeper had been growing in the greenhouse. Miss. Jervaulx was quite suprised, as she knows that not many dogs want to help to make a cat smile; but as Scamp rightly pointed out, not many mice do either!

Not long after Miss. Jervaulx and Baby Belle had arrived home, Samuel scurried into the Church with two of his friends from the dairy. "Quick", he shouted "they're coming!" (He had heard the jingling of the cat bells approaching). We ran underneath the pew, as Mother Sally poured the cream into her saucers... the last of the cream had only just splashed onto the fine china when we heard a "miaow" at the door.

"Come in, Buttons!" said Old Mother Sally calmly, "we were just waiting for you..."

Buttons, Crunchie and Smarties delicately hooked their little white paws around the dark oak door, so that they could slip through the gap, and the candlelight illuminated their large green eyes.

"SUPRISE" we yelled, as we jumped out from underneath the pew.

Oh, how suprised those tall moggies looked as they purred, smiled and licked us all with thanks... they truly appeared as happy as the cat that got the cream!!!

"We did not realise how kind you mice could be" exlaimed Buttons, "we are so sorry for being your enemies for so long. Thank you for being our purr-fect friends."

Today, the Caerphillian mice feel like we have found very special friends too, since it was only because of our cat friends (and the help of Pheasie) that we learnt just how special it is to share happiness and love. We may not be able to give our cat-friends posh toys, collars or scratch posts... but by giving what we can afford with generous hearts, even the littlest mouse can make a difference!

God bless you and squeek you,

Ella xxx